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Articles by Igor Studenkov
Sasha-Ann Simons to leave WBEZ, USA Today Co. to make two downstate dailies weekly, and a former reporter runs for mayor
Also, Chicago Reader union negotiations updates, chicago.com updates, and more Good morning, readers and subscribers. This week will (hopefully) mark the final stretch of putting together the Chicago Media Journal magazine.
CARP task force changes format, plans to launch ‘informal’ working groups
The Environment Board subcommittee charged with supporting Evanston’s 2018 Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) will move most of its work into smaller groups and meet less often, members agreed Wednesday. The change comes after the CARP Implementation Task Force spent much of the past 12 months working on a report on the city’s progress in meeting the plan’s goals.
Biss, Elleson Talk Economy, Immigration At 9th District Candidate Forum
Daniel Biss (foreground) and John Elleson (background) at the League of Women Voters' 9th Congressional District debate (Igor Studenkov/Journal Photos) The 9th Congressional District candidate forum held last Thursday (Sept. 24) at the Skokie Public Library was fairly cordial, with Democratic nominee Daniel Biss and Republican nominee John Elleson occasionally taking shots at each others’ parties, but never criticizing each other personally.
New Transit Oversight Board Approves CTA, Pace Reduced Fares For Low-Income Riders
The first meeting of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Board of Directors meeting, which was held on Sept. 10, 2026 (Igor Studenkov/Journal & Topics photos) The recently appointed Northern Illinois Transit Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously Sept. 10 to expand Metra’s Access Pilot program, which allows riders receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to apply for reduced fares to CTA and Pace. The change will take effect Oct. 1. Metra, Cook County a...
Official map shows ban on parking minimums affects most of Evanston
The newly formed Northern Illinois Transit Authority Board of Directors officially released a map showing which parts of the Chicago area fall under the limits on parking minimums that took effect in June — and it includes most of Evanston.
Advocates gave a thumbs-up to choice of Tom Kotarac as NITA board chair. Former aviation chief Jamie Rhee was chosen as AcTINg executive director.
This post is sponsored by Find The Right Bike. This morning there was another big milestone in the Chicagoland public transportation revolution. After the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act went into effect on September 1, today was the NITA board’s maiden voyage at the former Regional Transportation Authority offices, 175 W. Jackson St. in the Loop. The lobby of the old RTA / new NITA offices.
After year of work, environment plan progress report shows mixed results
The Environment Board this week signed off on a report on how well Evanston has been doing in implementing the 2018 Climate Action and Resilience Plan, which had set 2025 as the deadline for several of its goals. The CARP Implementation Task Force, an Environment Board subcommittee, has been working on the presentation since last summer. The idea was not only to measure the progress, but to try to figure what the city can do better.
Why Some Journal-Area Towns (But Not Others) Are Getting Hybrid Buses
A new Pace diesel-electric hybrid bus stops near downtown Skokie. (Igor Studenkov/Journal photo) Pace has quietly introduced its new diesel-electric hybrid buses to the northwest suburbs. They are hard to miss. The suburban bus transit agency gave them a very distinct, visible wrapping. Instead of the usual blue and black color scheme, they are blue on the front and green on the back, with a white lightning bolt separating the two halves. The lightning bolt has a prominent “HE” logo and “hybrid-...
Suburban K-12 Students Get Cheaper Bus, ‘L’ Fares
Pace bus Route 241, which provides school day service to Maine East and Maine South high schools, passes through Uptown Park Ridge. (Igor Studenkov/Journal photo) As K-12 students return to school in Chicago and throughout the suburbs, CTA, Metra and Pace are streamlining student fares effective this morning (Aug. 24). CTA and Pace now charge K-12 students $0.75 per trip, which represents a 35-cent fare reduction for students who ride Pace. The students can also now transfer between bus routes, ...
Commission on Aging and Disabilities urges city to look into restoring Dodge Yellow Line station
The Evanston Commission on Aging and Disabilities has officially asked the city to study the feasibility of bringing back the Yellow Line Dodge ‘L’ station. The station was one of the three Evanston stations on what originally known as the Niles Center Line. Opened in 1925, the Dodge station was closed in 1948 and demolished in the late 1980s. Today, the bridge over Dodge Avenue, which still has the support beams for the platform, is the only evidence a station was ever there.
Current CTA board members say their farewells, approve Safe Ride Specialist and violence deescalation pilots
This post is sponsored by Ride Illinois. While the Chicago Transit Authority’s board isn’t going away, its August 12 monthly meeting was its last one in its current configuration. Effective September 1, the CTA board will go from four directors nominated by Chicago mayors and three mayors chosen by Illinois governors, to three directors picked by the mayor, two tapped by the Illinois governor and two selected by the Cook County Board President.
IDOT says Metra’s Rockford extension is still on schedule for a late 2027 debut
This post is sponsored by Keating Law Offices. Back in 1988, the Rockford-formed rock band Cheap Trick topped the charts with the power ballad “The Flame.” Similarly, the Illinois Department of Transportation is still carrying a torch that service on the long-awaited Metra route between the Forest City and Chicago will launch by the end of next year, as predicted.
D207 Tenantive Budget Has Slight Surplus, Benefits From County Tax ‘Chaos’
The Maine Township High School Dist. 207 Board of Education voted unanimously last Monday (Aug. 3) to approve a tentative budget for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. The budget will have a $3.94 million surplus, which, as district Chief School Business Officer Mary Kalou noted during the meeting, is not as big as it may seem at a casual glance. The number is an equivalent of 1.8% of all budgeted expenditures. The district benefitted from increases in property tax revenue and the lack of pro...
A laundry/day care combo?
This spring, a group of high school students who mostly lived in Austin took part in the eight-week Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative, a business development program co-sponsored by the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Creative Consulting Group. At the end of the program, all participants pitched their ideas in a “Shark Tank” style competition.
City manager Stowe reflects on balancing sustainability with budget constraints
Evanston’s Environment Board spent over an hour quizzing City Manager Luke Stowe and Deputy City Manager Carina Sánchez about the city’s sustainability initiatives during its July 23 meeting. That conversation has been months in the making, and it grew out of some board members’ concerns about how the city is tracking its progress in implementing Climate Action and Resilience Plan goals.
Garfield Park stakeholders working on plan to address safety issues
The Garfield Park Advisory Council and other area stakeholders recently began an effort to develop a strategy to address public safety in and around the iconic West Side park. The first Garfield Park Community Town Hall was held recently at the park’s Gold Dome fieldhouse, 100 N. Central Park Ave. The next meeting will be held at the Gold Dome on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
Save a Lot abruptly closes West Garfield store
Aaron Hughes, a resident of West Garfield Park, said that he understood that the neighborhood Save A Lot location at 420 S. Pulaski Road had its problems. But the alternative the neighborhood now faces– the store closed – is far worse. “Some people might complain, but guess what – it [was] here,” Hughes told Austin Weekly. “It’s better than nothing. It’s better than having no grocery store at all.” “This is going to be a blow to the community itself,” Hughes said.
Environment Board says Ryan Field sustainability plan needs work
Evanston’s Environment Board, City Manager Luke Stowe and Deputy City Manager Carina Sánchez all agreed at the board’s Thursday night meeting that Northwestern University’s proposed Ryan Field sustainability plan will need some changes before going to City Council for final approval.
News Archives - Forest Park Review
Posted inNews The Park District of Forest Park unanimously passed its Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget on July 16. The budget draft was presented and discussed by the board at its June 8 meeting. The budget increases spending by 5%. “The responsibility of using taxpayer funds comes with a lot of responsibility, and we at the park district […] Posted inNews Posted inNews Posted inNon-Profits Posted inNews Sign up for our free newsletter to get latest news and updates on Forest Park.
25th Police District council selects finalists to fill vacancy
The 25th Police District Council submitted three finalists to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, which will recommend which one of them should fill the vacancy created after councilor Saul Arellano resigned in April. As part of the 2021 police accountability reform package, each of Chicago’s 22 police districts got three-member elected district councils to work toward improving public safety, recommend policies and help nominate commissioners to the city-wide CCPSA.
News Archives - Austin Weekly News
Posted inNews The 25th Police District Council submitted three finalists to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, which will recommend which one of them should fill the vacancy created after councilor Saul Arellano resigned in April.
Palatine Resident, Political Consultant Talks Independent Gubernatorial Bid
Long-time GOP political strategist Collin Corbett is running as an independent for governor (Provided photo) Collin Corbett, a Palatine native and a long-time Republican strategist, believes that there has never been a better time to run for governor as an independent candidate. “I can't say this would’ve worked a decade ago, I can't say this would’ve worked even five years ago,” he said.
CTA, IDOT sign off on design prep for long-awaited Blue Line improvements
The Chicago Transit Board, the governing board for the CTA, has unanimously approved two intergovernmental agreements that have implications for the West Side and western suburbs.
North Lawndale Restorative Justice Court celebrates latest graduates
The Restorative Justice Community Court in North Lawndale recently celebrated its newest graduates – and the good news is only some could attend in person because they had jobs or schools to attend. The celebration took place July 9. The North Lawndale court is held at United Christian Action Network’s (UCAN) main building, 3605 W. Fillmore St. Graduates who complete a “Repair of Harm Agreement” have any criminal charges dismissed and their record expunged.
CTA, IDOT sign off on design prep for long-awaited Blue Line improvements
The Chicago Transit Board, the governing board for the CTA, has unanimously approved two intergovernmental agreements that have implications for the West Side and western suburbs.
Metra and Union Pacific agree to station rents, but track contract remains elusive
Over a year after the last agreement between Metra and Union Pacific railroad expired, the two sides are still trying to finalize a new agreement to govern the use of Union Pacific North line and other UP-owned commuter lines. The Union Pacific North Line has three stations in Evanston. The line is not in danger of shutting down. On Sept. 3, the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the federal railroad regulator, the right to keep using the tracks as negotiations continue.
CTA board approved deal with IDOT to fix Blue Line slow zones, and an increase in bus lane enforcement cameras, and they discussed the decrease in transit crime
This post is sponsored by Boulevard Bikes. Wednesday’s July CTA board meeting was the first regularly scheduled meeting since Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his picks on Tuesday for the four new Chicagoland transit boards mandated by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. But none of the current CTA directors acknowledged the impending change. Yesterday the board approved several agreements and contracts.
Metra To Suspend Union Pacific Northwest Line On Upcoming Sunday Due To Track Work
Crystal Lake-bound Union Pacific Northwest Line Metra train leaves downtown Des Plaines on July 1, 2025 (Photo by Igor Studenkov/Journal & Topics Reporter) The Union Pacific Northwest Line, Metra’s second-busiest line, won’t operate on Sunday, July 19 due to the maintenance of another line that crosses its tracks near downtown Des Plaines. The repairs will only put the line out of commission that Sunday morning. Late night Saturday/Sunday trains will operate as usual, and service is expected...
Republicans Slate Candidates For Suburban County Board Races
The northwest suburban Cook County Board of Commissioners districts (via the Office of Cook County Clerk) Republican Party committeepersons chose candidates to run for five Cook County Board of Commissioners seats, including two seats that fall within the Journal & Topics coverage area, in the November general election. The March 17 Republican primary included candidates in five out of 17 county board district races. Only the race for the 15th District, which includes parts of Des Plaines, E...
Eco orchard takes root in Garfield Park after years of delays
It took almost eight years, but a fruit orchard project the Garfield Park Community Council wanted to build on two East Garfield Park vacant lots, finally broke ground in mid-June. Originally known as Fifth Avenue Eco Orchard, the council conceived the project in response to something it heard from Garfield Park Farmers Market customers – they liked getting locally grown vegetables, but they wanted to be able to buy locally grown fruit.
What Quigley’s Chicago Mayoral Run Means For His Congressional Campaign
Candidates running in the 5th Congressional District, Mike Quigley (left) and Tommy Hanson (right). U.S. Rep. Mike Qugley, who has represented the area’s 5th Congressional District since 2009, officially kicked off his campaign for Chicago mayor on Saturday (June 27) -- even as is still trying to keep his congressional seat. While the Chicago area has seen suburban mayors or village presidents hold other elected offices, Chicago municipal code explicitly prohibits this kind of “double-dipping.” ...
City looks to revise waste haul contracts for multi-unit, mixed-use buildings
Brian Zimmerman, the city’s solid waste coordinator, speaks the Environment Board in March 2026. After a new waste haul contract led to some major changes for single-family homes and properties with fewer than five units, the city is looking to streamline and update contracts for larger multi-unit properties, mixed-use buildings, businesses and houses of worship.
Derelict Wright home on Central Ave. saved by Austin Coming Together
Austin Coming Together led a coalition of nonprofits to purchase the dilapidated J. Walser House, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home at 42 N. Central Ave., hoping to revitalize the structure after years of severe deterioration and legal uncertainty. ACT announced the purchase on June 24. In a statement to the media, it didn’t elaborate on its plans for the property beyond saying it wants to restore the building and turn it into a community asset.
Blue Line Central Ave. station reopening pushed to 2031
Austinites will have to wait at least two additional years for the Blue Line Central Avenue station to reopen. As the regular Illinois General Assembly legislative wrapped up at the end of May, both houses passed a bill that made some changes to the transit funding and reform bill passed in the dead of night last Halloween. The original bill mandated several projects throughout the Chicago area.
Flock Cameras Damage May Be Due To Social Media Trend
Downed Flock camera (Reader photo) Four out of eight Park Ridge Flock license reading cameras were cut down overnight two weeks ago - something that Police Chief Bob Kampwirth said may be due to a TikTok trend. According to Park Ridge Police Department reporters provided to Journal & Topics indicate that a camera at the intersection of Manor Lane and Northwest Highway was cut down sometime on the night of June 7 to June 8. The cameras at the intersection of Northwest Highway and Fortune Ave...
Metra gets RTA funding for Central Street station heated shelter, wayfinding improvements
Metra is getting $810,000 from the Regional Transportation Authority for its Central Street station, one of the three commuter rail stations that serve Evanston. RTA’s Access to Transit program uses federal funding to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access and use transit. The Central Street project includes a new warming shelter on the east platform for trains inbound to Chicago, new digital information displays and new signage.
Advocate Lutheran Looks To Consolidate, Expand Cancer Services In New Building
The location of the future Comprehensive Cancer Center (via Advocate Lutheran Hospital) Advocate Lutheran Hospital is planning to build a new two-story Comprehensive Cancer Center on what is now a parking lot on the west side of its Park Ridge campus at 1650 Luther Lane. The hospital is looking to consolidate its outpatient cancer treatment services, such as cancer-related analysis and pharmacy, and support services for cancer patients, in one building. The new space will be connected to the ex...
City gets $22.1 million federal grant to replace lead service lines in Austin
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth recently announced that the Chicago Department of Water Management will receive a $22,119,933 federal grant to help cover the costs of removing and replacing around 650 lead service lines throughout the Austin community. In 2021, Illinois passed the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, which requires municipalities to replace lead service lines, with the deadline based on how many lead service lines a municipality has.
Austin Residents share with Cook County official their concerns about housing
Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps got an earful from Austin residents who came to a meeting to discuss their concerns about housing and to find out what she can do to help. Stamps (D-1st) listened to about 25 residents and homeowners who assembled June 8 at Northwest Austin Council office, 5730 W. Division St. While she made no promises of solutions, she did promise to follow up with other relevant agencies.
Union criticizes CTA for “leadership vacuum” due to lack of a permanent president. Acting President Leerhsen touts public safety progress.
This post is sponsored by Ride Illinois. As the CTA receives new funding and Acting President Nora Leerhsen touted progress on crime reduction, the transit agency is being criticized by one of its own unions for failing to appoint a permanent president. Leerhsen took the placeholder position in February 2025, so she has been on the job for almost 1.5 years.
Union criticizes CTA for “leadership vacuum” due to lack of a permanent president. Acting President Leerhsen touts public safety progress.
7 hours ago In a sweeping new essay titled "Policy on the AI Exponential," Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei publicly calls for new government regulations governing the release of powerful AI models — specifically comparing AI industry to commercial aviation, which follows regulations enforced by the …
Once controversial, Austin’s Space 01 art gallery looks to provide opportunities for artists
Artist and musician Trejon D’Angelo Williams, a resident of Garfield Park, hopes the Space 01 gallery he runs will provide opportunities for other artists and encourage West Siders to interact and engage with art. Originally located in Logan Square, the gallery reopened in the northeast corner of Austin almost a year ago. It is tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript industrial building at 4850-60 W. Bloomingdale Ave.
Dist. 207 Approves Athletic Fields Rehab, Improvement Plan
Maine South senior pitcher Anthony Pullano looks back toward third base before getting Glenbrook South's Spencer Geake caught in a rundown. (Photo by Kaleb Carter) The Maine Township High School Dist. 207 Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday (June 1) to spend $30.71 million to improve athletic fields at all three of its high schools. After months of discussions, the district landed on Option B, which will include fewer improvements than more expensive Option C, but more improvements th...
Metra Train Strikes Pedestrian In Arlington Heights
Metra Train. (Metra photo) Train service on the Union Pacific Northwest Metra line was temporarily disrupted Monday afternoon (June 1) after a train struck a pedestrian near Patton Avenue in Arlington Heights. Chicago-bound train #650, which operates between Barrington and Ogilvie Transportation Center, was stopped at the downtown Arlington Heights station. Outbound train 361 to Crystal Lake, which normally leaves OTC at 2:35 p.m. and stops at Arlington Heights at 3:21 p.m., was cancelled. As of...
New transit funding boosts West Side bus service, cleaner el trains
Chicago Transit Authority is getting extra funding for security and service improvements – including bus and el train service on the West Side. The Northern Illinois Transportation Authority Act passed last October created new revenue streams to fund transit, including allowing a 0.25% RTA sales tax increase. Those measures took effect on June 1, and the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously at a special meeting that morning to make the increase official.
Environment Board votes to back final version of Lakefront Protection Ordinance, with two major revisions
Environment Board co-chair Paula Scholl looks thought the printout of the final draft of the Lakeshore Protection Ordinance. The board spent almost 90 minutes discussing the ordinance page by page. Evanston’s Environment Board voted Thursday night to recommend approval of the latest version of the long-discussed Lakefront Protection Ordinance — with several recommended changes of their own.
West Side artists launch first ever Douglass Park Kite Festival
A group of West Side arts organizations are working with Chicago Park District, Riot Fest and the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety to hold what they hope will become the first of the many Douglass Park Art Festivals to come. Artist Alexie Young with her artwork at BeeLove Café on Wednesday August 23, 2023 | Todd Bannor The event is the brainchild of Lawndale Pop-Up Spot co-founder Jonathan Kelley, artist and Art West gallery founder Alexie Young, with One Lawndale Arts & Activism Incubator.
Press Forward announced Chicago school board race coverage grants, Reader hires publisher and IPA convention preview
Discover more from Chicago Media Journal Chicago area journalist talks about ins and outs of the Chicago media. Already have an account? Sign in Also, new hires, more award winners and finalists, CherryRoad Media expands Illinois footprint, and journalism grants, events and jobs galore Good morning, readers and subscribers.
BREAKING: Paddock Publications enters agreement to sell Daily Herald to Alden Global
Employees will vote on whether to approve the sale by June 22 Happy Friday, readers and subscribers. Yesterday (May 21) at 9:41 p.m. Central time, Dirks, Van Essen & April, one of the handful of firms specializing in newspaper sales, sent out a press release announcing that Paddock Publications “has entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell the newspaper to the Chicago Tribune.” It seems that my initial understanding of the deal, as unlikely as it seemed, was correct.
Fox Valley Review announces NIL partnership with Roosevelt University true freshman quarterback Tony Chahino
By IGOR STUDENKOV Journal & Topics Reporter Edison Park native and retired journalist Anne Lunde passed away on April 22 after a long illness. Lunde was a staff reporter for the Journal & Topics between October 2013 and February 2024. She primarily covered Park Ridge, while occasionally writing about Rosemont. Before that, she served as a reporter and a managing editor for newspapers covering Chicago's far Northwest Side and the nearby suburbs. Lunde was 74 years old.
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